Minutes of the Special board of Directors Meeting
May 3, 2015
Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister Duplicate Bridge Club
Unit 524
Present: President Jonna Robinson, Vice-President Ken Johnson, Treasurer Vincent McLoughlin. By telephone, Secretary Dian Picone. Members: Diana Dragt, Joanne Wicker, Margot Kakalec, Michael Kakalec,
I. Minutes of Aprils’ meetings and Treasurer’s report deferred.
II. The meeting was held to discuss the proposed transfer of the Monday and Thursday Games to Win and Patty Stone with Diana Dragt, one of the founding members of Unit 524 and who objects to the proposal.
Diana Dragt made it clear that she opposes an ownership transfer She makes a very important point about the Unit retaining access to the Morgan Hill and Gilroy facilities and believes that the proposed transfer might jeopardize our access. She believes that our use of the facilities is based on the fact that the Unit is a non-profit organization and that once the two games become private, they lose that status, and thus, the use of the facility for Monday and Thursday games. Questions as to the accuracy of Diana’s claim were raised and the Vice-President is looking into the matter in more detail in the coming week. The board supported the idea that we need to retain access to Morgan Hill and Gilroy facilities
Diana presented the Board with material on how the Board could grow game attendance and stated her disappointment that the Board had not taken any actions. Joanne Wicker made suggestions as to how the attendance at games, especially the Monday game might be improved.
In response to the Board’s request, Diana presented a list of duties of which Ron Dragt had been in charge. The list is a page and half of items presenting the Board with the problem of finding members willing to take on the responsibilities if the status quo is maintained.
The Vice-President made the case that club owners would try to grow attendance and would take on Ron's duties. Most importantly, he remade the case that he previously discussed with the board: If we don't take action by transferring ownership, the existence of our Monday and Thursday games are in jeopardy. Win Stone currently is running Monday night, and Thursday is uncertain. It should be noted that the Board has no role in the running of our weekly games. Win is duplicating hands and uploading results, but it is unlikely that he will continue in this role indefinitely as a volunteer. It would be unreasonable to expect him to do all this work for the small director fee that he receives. Win would do all the duties required if he became the bona fide owner.
The President proposed tabling the matter until it was certain the the two games could continue at their present venue and conditions. She congratulated the Vice-President’s efforts on the Board’s behalf and his clarification with the District that the Board can make the decision as to the transfer and that it is not obligated to put the matter to a vote by the membership. It was decided that the matter not be tabled, to move forward with facilitating the transfer to the Stones, if a resolution to the concerns raised can be found.
The Vice-President will report on his conversations with Roger Smith, a member of District 21 Executive Committee, to discuss our situation and any pitfalls that may occur relative to an ownership transfer. He proposed that we have a board meeting this Thursday after the game to review the results of his phone call, to further discuss today's board meeting, and to determine what appropriate action the board can take to guarantee the viability of duplicate bridge in South County. Board approved.
There will be another Special Board meeting on Thursday May 7th after the game in Gilroy.
Respectfully submitted,
Dian Wood Picone, Secretary